Official visits are done, the flood of summer commitments is gone and the August recruiting dead period is here. In a few weeks, college football's elite will compete again on the field.
It was a busy summer in the recruiting cycle with 48 of the top-100 prospects in the 2025 ESPN 300 announcing their commitments between June 1 and Aug. 17. Some classes -- Alabama, Auburn and Georgia Tech -- rose rapidly over the summer months. Others, such as USC, Ole Miss and Notre Dame, suffered blows along the way. At the end of it, just 16 of ESPN's top-100 prospects remain uncommitted.
As attention turns toward the football season, ESPN spoke with 11 recruiting and player personnel staffers across the Power 4 conferences, from winners across the country to the programs with questions and what comes next in the final months of the 2025 cycle this fall.
"There's going to be flips and there's going to be movement," said one Big Ten recruiting staffer. "Nothing surprises us at this point"
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Winners | Questions to answer
What's next
Winners
Alabama
What Alabama did: Could Kalen DeBoer continue the elite recruiting pipeline to Tuscaloosa after Nick Saban? It was a question hanging over the 49-year-old's early months at Alabama.
"We didn't feel his staff at all at Washington in the high school ranks," one Oregon personnel staffer told ESPN. "When they went [to Alabama], you wondered: Are they ready to big-boy recruit?"
There's now a resounding answer. Since June 1, the Crimson Tide have added 14 commits to the program's 2025 class, including 10 pledges from inside the ESPN 300. Alabama sits second in ESPN's latest class rankings for the 2025 class.
The Crimson Tide's productive summer began on June 4 when Alabama flipped SMU commit Keelon Russell, the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in the 2025 class. In July, the Crimson Tide landed four-star offensive tackle Ty Haywood (No. 18 in the ESPN 300) and four-star wide receiver Caleb Cunningham, the third-ranked pass catcher in the class. And in-between, Alabama padded its offensive line depth (Micah DeBose, Jackson Lloyd, Mal Waldrep) while adding on defense, securing pledges from top-15 linebackers Justin Hill (No. 10 OLB) and Dawson Merritt (No. 15) and pair of top-15 cornerbacks in Dijon Lee Jr. (No. 4 CB) and Chuck McDonald III (No. 14).
What they're saying:
Alabama gained six of the eight top-100 pledges in DeBoer's inaugural class after June 1, and despite four summer decommitments, including Auburn flips Derick Smith (No. 38 in the ESPN 300) and Antonio Coleman (No. 189), the Crimson Tide close their first post-Saban summer recruiting period contending for the nation's No. 1 class in 2025.
"They've won some big battles in the South," one Big Ten recruiting staffer said. "They've gone out West for some kids. It feels like they've flipped the switch on."
DeBoer's recruiting caliber will be best judged over several cycles and influenced heavily by Alabama's on-field performance. But the Crimson Tide's new head coach and his staff have turned heads on the recruiting trail this summer.
"They've hit the ground running there and they've done a hell of a job," a rival SEC general manager said. "They've been good evals, too. They've taken a bunch of good players this summer."
Auburn
What Auburn did: After closing strong in the 2023 cycle and landing the nation's ninth-ranked class (per ESPN) in 2024, Freeze now has the Tigers knocking on the door of their first top-five class since 2011. And he's done it through a series of important recruiting wins in Alabama this summer.
Last month's "Big Cat Weekend" -- Auburn's premier recruiting event -- yielded the Tigers four top-40 pledges with in-state commitments from cornerback Blake Woodby (No. 22 in the ESPN 300), defensive end Jared Smith (No. 28), safety Anquon Fegans (No. 36) and athlete Derick Smith (No. 38). Those moves followed another pair of in-state victories in June: a commitment from four-star safety Eric Winters (No. 85 in the ESPN 300) and the flip of former Penn State running back commit Alvin Henderson, the sixth-ranked rusher in 2025.
Late July flips from a pair of Crimson Tide pledges -- Derick Smith and defensive tackle Antonio Coleman -- could prove the first salvo of recruiting battles between Freeze and DeBoer.
"I think their ability to compete for the in-state guys is pretty impressive," one SEC recruiting staffer said. "They're going toe-to-toe for Alabama's best."
What they're saying: Across the country, however, there are questions about whether a class that came together so quickly this summer could still fall apart between now and signing day.
"Hugh has the SEC recruiting thing down -- he knows how to recruit the South and what they've done is impressive," one in-state personnel staffer said. "But I'll be interested to see how they finish out this fall."
"I could see them continuing to charge on and sign a top-five class," a Big Ten recruiting staffer said. "I could also see them going 7-5 and that class crumbling pretty fast."
Georgia Tech
What Georgia Tech did: Considered among the supposed sleeping giants of the NIL era, Georgia Tech is on pace to ink a historic signing class under third-year coach Brent Key.
The Yellow Jackets landed their biggest recruit yet in 2025 with a commitment from Roswell, Georgia, offensive tackle Josh Petty on Aug. 12. At No. 27 in the ESPN 300, Petty is the program's highest-ranked commit in the ESPN rankings era (dating to 2006).
Petty's pledge follows summer commitments from fellow in-state ESPN 300 prospects in four-star cornerback Dalen Penson (No. 171) and offensive tackle Damola Ajidahun (No. 180). With a spring pledge from in-state offensive guard Justin Hasenhuetl (No. 220 in the ESPN 300), Georgia Tech is up to four ESPN 300 pledges in 2025, more than any previous recruiting cycle in program history.
Altogether, the Yellow Jackets have added 18 commitments since June 1, including 13 from within the state, reinforcing at safety with commitments from in-state defensive backs Rasean Dinkins (No. 42 safety in 2024), Fenix Felton (No. 44 safety) and Jayden Barr (No. 98 safety).
What they're saying: Georgia Tech is still building under Key. But after turning in the program's best finish since 2018 last fall and amid major victories on the recruiting trail, expectations are rising for the Yellow Jackets, who rank 26th in ESPN's team rankings. Georgia Tech will be in the mix for four-star, in-state defensive tackle Christian Garrett (No. 135 in the ESPN 300), a recent Georgia decommit.
"Georgia Tech is one of those programs where we've all said, 'God forbid they ever get it together, there's nothing that will stop them,'" a scout from a program that competes with Georgia Tech in recruiting said. "Kids love the thought of playing in Atlanta. It's a great school with a good conference. Obviously, the state runs red in terms of the Bulldogs, but there's plenty of talent for them to go get there."
LSU
What LSU did: LSU delivered a hot start in the 2025 cycle with commitments from No. 1 quarterback Bryce Underwood, No. 1 running back Harlem Berry and No. 1 wide receiver Dakorien Moore.
Moore's spring decommitment stung, as did cornerback Jaboree Antoine's flip to Miami, but the Tigers reach mid-August with the No. 3 class after holding onto their top pledges, landing a commitment from the No. 1 athlete and fortifying the depth of their class this summer.
D.J. Pickett's July 17 commitment was the summer headliner for Brian Kelly & Co. The nation's 14th-ranked prospect picked LSU over Miami and Oregon, and Pickett's pledge handed the Tigers a needed win at the top of the class after Moore landed with Oregon on July 4. Expected to play safety in college, Pickett will arrive in Baton Rouge as a key piece for the future of the Tigers' secondary under new defensive coordinator Blake Baker.
Elsewhere, the Tigers made offensive additions with four-star wide receiver Derek Meadows (No. 187) and offensive tackle Carius Curne (No. 120 in the ESPN 300). On the defense, summer commitments from defensive tackle Zion Williams (No. 15 DT in 2025) and defensive ends Damien Shanklin (No. 17 DE) and Jesse Harrold (No. 22) bolstered a deep unit of defensive linemen headed to Baton Rouge in this cycle.
What they're saying: Shortcomings in LSU's NIL infrastructure limited the Tigers in their pursuit of some of the nation's top prospects over the past two cycles, multiple rival recruiting staffers told ESPN.
In holding onto Underwood and Berry through the summer while beating Oregon and Miami for Pickett, there's evidence that things have stabilized around the Tigers, who appear to be on their way to the program's first top-five class since Kelly arrived in 2021.
"There were a lot of questions of what they had going on financially," a rival SEC recruiter said. "But it seems like they've figured it out with the prospects you might have to compete for from an NIL standpoint. The Pickett sweepstakes were huge for them."
Miami
What Miami did: Whether or not Miami is truly back will be answered on the field this fall. On the recruiting trail, the Hurricanes continue to roll under Mario Cristobal.
Miami has added 14 commitments since June 1, highlighted by No. 1 offensive guard S.J. Alofaituli (No. 10 in the ESPN 300) and defensive reinforcement in former LSU pledge Jaboree Antoine (No. 54) and former USC commit Hylton Stubbs (No. 93). Inside linebacker Gavin Nix (No. 5 ILB in 2025), defensive end Herbert Scroggins (No. 27 DE) and cornerback Chris Ewald (No. 29 CB) represent another three ESPN 300 defenders to join Cristobal's latest class this summer.
Misses on Pickett to LSU, Florida wide receiver pledge Vernell Brown III and Penn State cornerback commit Daryus Dixson dented the Hurricanes' summer, but Miami approaches Cristobal's third season with ESPN's eighth-ranked class in 2025.
What they're saying: Living up to his reputation on the trail, Cristobal has Miami trending toward its third consecutive top-10 class in 2025.
Alofaituli will arrive on campus as one of the nation's most experienced high school offensive linemen. Antoine, Stubbs and Nix, along with inside linebacker pledge Elijah Melendez (No. 4 ILB in 2025), make up the defensive core of a class that now includes 10 ESPN 300 commits. Yet across the state of Florida, the Hurricanes' latest class divides opinion.
"I think Miami has a really good group this year," one in-state recruiting staffer said. "They're acquiring elite talent."
"We don't think their class is that good to be honest," the general manager of another in-state program said. "They have a couple of guys that are really good players. Top to bottom, it's just not as deep as it looks."
Oregon
What Oregon did: Dan Lanning's recruiting momentum continued, leaving the Ducks with the sixth-ranked class.
Oregon landed its crown jewel for the 2025 class when No. 1 wide receiver Dakorien Moore committed to the Ducks on July 4. No. 5 running back Jordon Davison and offensive tackle Ziyare Addison represent two more summer additions on offense from inside the ESPN 300.
"[Moore] is one guy we identified early as being on a different tier above the rest of the class in terms of talent," a recruiting staffer within the program said. "We've thought for a while now he's the best player in the country in this class. He was a must-get; a top priority."
Elsewhere, Lanning & Co. have gone all-in on athletes in 2025. Four-star prospect Trey McNutt, No. 35 in the ESPN 300, marked a key addition with his commitment on Aug. 3, and two of Oregon's 12 ESPN 300 commitments came earlier in the summer from athletes Dorian Brew and Brandon Finney. Between McNutt, Brew, Finney and spring pledge Dierre Hill, Oregon now has pledges from four of the top-10 athletes in the 2025 cycle.
What they're saying: Oregon added eight prospects and lost a pair of ESPN 300 commits -- DaSaahn Brame and Isaiah Mozee
The Ducks have heavy interest in No. 1 outside linebacker Jonah Williams and No. 2 athlete Michael Terry, but the fall will be spent hanging onto the top commits already in their 2025 class while turning attention to 2026. This could end up being Lanning's third top-10 class in Eugene and the program's second top-five finish in as many years.
"I think that they do a really good job of evaluating and they take kids that fit them, but they also have the resources behind it to get who they want," a Big Ten recruiting staffer said. "I think Mario [Cristobal] did a good job with the recruiting infrastructure. Lanning has just taken it to another level."
Rutgers
What Rutgers did: Historically, Rutgers' best recruiting success comes when the Scarlet Knights keep New Jersey's best at home. In 2025, Greg Schiano and his staff are doing just that.
Rutgers' standout summer began with a pair of in-state pledges on June 11. Four-star wide receiver Michael Thomas III, No. 111 in the ESPN 300, committed first to become the program's top prospect in 2025, then came four-star offensive tackle Ja'Elyne Matthews, who held offers from Arkansas, Baylor and Cincinnati, among others. The in-state momentum continued two weeks later when Rutgers flipped Penn State linebacker pledge D.J. McClary on June 23. Altogether, the Scarlet Knights hold 10 in-state commitments in 2025.
Four-star safety Tariq Hayer also committed in June, giving Rutgers four ESPN 300 pledges over the summer, the most in any class in program history during the ESPN rankings era. The summer delivered further depth, too, with in-state linebacker pledge Kamar Archie (No. 31 OLB in 2025), Maryland offensive tackle Joshua Blackston (No. 63 OT) and Georgia defenders Chase Linton (No. 67 DE) and Braxton Kyle (No. 108 DT).
What they're saying: Rutgers could potentially land a historic recruiting class in this cycle as the Scarlet Knights look to build on the momentum of a 7-6 finish in 2023.
The challenge for Rutgers will be holding onto their top commits between now and signing day. Georgia is among those circling Linton and Kyle and other top programs in contact with the Scarlet Knights' coveted ESPN 300 pledges.
"We've done a really good job of getting these kids on campus a lot when they're younger," a staffer within the recruiting department said. "A lot of these kids, we've been recruiting them for four years since we got here. In some ways this is a culmination of doing the work and getting them and their family so comfortable that it's hard for them to say they're going somewhere else."
Tennessee
What Tennessee did: After a summer spent constructing an elite offensive line class and landing six ESPN 300 commits, Josh Heupel could be on the way to his first top-10 class on Rocky Top.
The Volunteers landed their top pledge in 2025 Saturday when five-star offensive tackle David Sanders, No. 4 in the ESPN 300 committed to Tennessee over Ohio State, Georgia and Nebraska. Sanders' pledge follows summer commitments from fellow offensive tackle Douglas Utu (No. 13 in the ESPN 300) and fifth-ranked offensive guard Nic Moore (No. 237), forming the core of an elite offensive line class.
July additions Lagonza Hayward Jr. (No. 9 safety in 2025) and Christian Gass (No. 17 outside linebacker) stand as Tennessee's top defensive commits, and the Volunteers added talent around quarterback pledge George MacIntyre this summer with the additions of four-star wide receiver commit Travis Smith Jr. (No. 210) and Oregon tight end flip DaSaahn Brame (No. 228).
What they're saying: Despite an on-field dip in 2023, Tennessee carries a strong pitch on the recruiting trail with the program's upward trajectory and Heupel's high-octane offense. Combined with a strong coaching staff and an organized NIL structure, the Volunteers have all the tools to help the program's incoming class -- ranked ninth in ESPN's latest team rankings for the cycle -- rise heading into Heupel's fourth season in Knoxville.
"They seem to have a really good plan and process," a recruiting staffer from an SEC rival said. "It seems organized. Seems targeted."
"They've got a good thing going," a Big Ten staffer who competes against Tennessee in recruiting said. "You feel them for sure. They've got the money to kind of back up the production they've had on offense the last few years. They're having a great cycle."
Honorable mentions: Florida, Wisconsin, Kansas State, Arkansas, UCF, Maryland, SMU, Boston College, James Madison.
Programs with questions
Michigan: Can the Wolverines fill needs at wide receiver and middle linebacker?
Michigan enters Sherrone Moore's debut season at No. 18 in ESPN's team rankings for the cycle after a mixed summer on the recruiting trail.
The flip of Notre Dame cornerback Ivan Taylor (No. 41 in the ESPN 300) gave the Wolverines a class cornerstone, and commitments from four-star safety Kainoa Winston (No. 42), tight end Andrew Olesh (No. 106) and wide receiver Jacob Washington (No. 218) improved the haul. But with running Jordon Davison (Oregon), wide receivers Phillip Wright (LSU) and Taz Williams (Baylor) and offensive lineman Hardy Watts (Wisconsin) going elsewhere, there were missed opportunities for Michigan to further bolster its 2025 class. The Wolverines still have work to do at wide receiver and linebacker. They could address those needs by landing four-star pass catcher Andrew Marsh (No. 62 in the ESPN 300) and linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng (No. 74), two moves that would signal positive momentum in a class that's gone up and down in Moore's first cycle at the helm.
"Michigan has been a little shaky," one rival Big Ten personnel staffer said. "Statistically, they may have a top-20 class, but they've whiffed on some kids that they should have gotten."
Notre Dame: Can the Irish hang onto Deuce Knight and land another linebacker?
Taylor's flip to Michigan was a blow and Notre Dame only added a pair of ESPN 300 commits with four-star safety JaDon Blair (No. 204 in the ESPN 300) and running back Justin Thurman (No. 300).
Still, Notre Dame is on track for another top-10 class with 10 ESPN commits. Of course, that could hinge on whether the Irish hold onto top commit Deuce Knight, the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in the nation. Auburn and Ole Miss are working hard to flip the four-star passer from Lucedale, Mississippi, and Knight's decision could swing the trajectory of Marcus Freeman's latest class.
Another key position Notre Dame continues to target is linebacker, where the Irish are still looking to fill a need with Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng and Madden Faraimo (No. 96 in the ESPN 300) among the top options on Notre Dame's radar.
"The pressure is on there and they feel a bit vulnerable," a Big Ten recruiting staffer from a program school that competes with Notre Dame in recruiting said. "I think if they can get into the playoff this year, that will help solve some of their problems."
Ole Miss: Can the Rebels restock on blue-chip prospects in 2025?
Over the summer, Ole Miss lost fifth-ranked wide receiver Jerome Myles and No. 2 running back Akylin Dear, among two other 2025 pledges. Wide receiver Dillon Alfred later recommitted to Ole Miss, but Lane Kiffin & Co. now close the summer with just three ESPN 300 prospects committed in the 2025 class.
Can the Rebels make moves between now and signing day to get back on track?
Ole Miss remains linked with a flip for Alabama wide receiver commit Caleb Cunningham (No. 19 in the ESPN 300). The Rebels are in the mix as well for four-star running back Ousmane Kromah (No. 127 in the ESPN 300), who will represent a strong recovery after losing Dear's pledge. Four-star safety Ladarian Clardy has Ole Miss among his finalists and may be the closest to a commitment date as the Rebels look to build momentum into the fall.
Texas A&M: Can Mike Elko and Texas A&M land a top-40 prospect?
The Aggies hit mid-August with 12 ESPN 300 commits, sitting seventh in ESPN's team rankings for the 2025 class with four-star linebacker Noah Mikhail (No. 58 in the ESPN 300) representing the program's top summer commitment. But it's hard not to wonder where Texas A&M might be if it closed on some of the elite prospects the program chased over the summer.
The Aggies were finalists for Alabama offensive pledge Ty Haywood and Texas wide receiver pledge Kaliq Lockett. Ohio State linebacker commit Riley Pettijohn considered the Aggies heavily, as did Kansas State tight end pledge Linkon Cure. Texas A&M came second for four-star athlete Trey McNutt, who committed to Oregon on Aug. 3.
Three of those five prospects sat in the top 40 of ESPN's top 300. As things stand, cornerback Adonyss Currie, No. 46 in the ESPN 300, is the program's top commit in 2025. Can Elko & Co. finally seal the deal on a top-40 prospect in the coming weeks?
"I think time will tell with A&M," a rival SEC general manager said. "That staff did a good job at Duke and it's the same people from a head coaching and personnel side. We'll see where they end up."
USC: Can the Trojans fully rebuild its defense class?
USC's summer got off to a rocky start with decommitments from top-30 defensive linemen Justus Terry (No. 7 in the ESPN 300) and Isaiah Gibson (No. 30), leaving the Trojans in even more dire need of defensive talent.
The Trojans have rebounded in recent weeks, flipping Georgia outside linebacker pledge Jadon Perlotte (No. 9 OLB) and UCF safety commit Kendarius Reddick (No. 7 safety). As things stand, four-star linebacker Matai Tagoa'i is the only other top-150 defender in USC's incoming class.
The Trojans could change that with their pursuit of five-star defensive tackle Elijah Griffin, No. 5 in the ESPN 300. USC also remains in the mix for linebackers Christian Jones (No. 92 in the ESPN 300) and Madden Faraimo (No. 96) as the Trojans have work to do on defense this fall.
What comes next?
Auburn: Just how high can Freeze's 2025 class rise?
The Tigers have already grabbed the attention of the recruiting world and the rest of the cycle could be just as big.
The Tigers are the favorites for Deuce Knight if the Notre Dame pledge pulls his commitment. Ditto for Ohio State cornerback pledge Na'eem Offord, the top cornerback in the 2025 class out of Birmingham, Alabama. The Tigers remain a long shot for four-star offensive tackle Andrew Babalola (No. 51 in the ESPN 300), and should be well positioned for four-star linebacker Tyler Lockhart, No. 132 in the ESPN 300.
With a few more elite additions, Auburn could be pushing on the top classes in the nation.
Miami: Can Miami close on one more elite defender?
Miami's productive summer leaves the Hurricanes with a talented 2025 class with the Canes chasing two more elite defenders.
Miami has been chasing Griffin, the five-star defensive tackle from Savannah, Georgia, along with Georgia and USC. The in-state Bulldogs could be tough to beat, but Cristobal has made in-roads in Georgia and has a track record of winning battles for elite prospects. This recruitment will continue into the fall.
Texas A&M: Can the Aggies secure more top prospects?
Texas A&M will have chances to remedy its summer misses among the nation's elite prospects.
The Aggies have recruited five-star offensive tackle Michael Fasusi heavily in 2025 and are battling Oklahoma and Texas for his pledge on Aug. 21. Outside linebacker Jonah Williams, the No. 8 prospect in the class, will make his call on Aug. 24 with Texas A&M a contender alongside Texas, LSU and USC. Wide receiver Jerome Myles, No. 26 in the ESPN 300, represents another top talent the Aggies will look to land.
Texas: Will August belong to the Longhorns?
Texas opened August strong with a commitment from four-star wide receiver Kaliq Lockett, who now stands as the top prospect in the Longhorns' 2025 class. Can Texas build in a potentially busy August?
Like Texas A&M, the Longhorns are in on Fasusi and Williams. Elsewhere, Texas is a favorite for four-star pass catcher Jaime Ffrench, who is set to announce his pledge on Aug. 30, and the Longhorns are in good position for No. 2 athlete Michael Terry out of San Antonio, Texas.
After a slow summer, things could be heating up for Steve Sarkisian and Texas.
What happens with Julian Lewis?
The saga of the five-star quarterback, the No. 2 overall prospect in 2025, continues into mid-August. Committed to the Trojans since this time last year, Lewis flirted heavily with Auburn earlier this summer and is dancing around potential flips to Colorado and Indiana in the weeks before the 2024 season.
Communication continued between Lewis' camp and USC as he opened his senior season at Carrollton (Georgia) High School on Friday night. If the Trojans can shore up Lewis' commitment in the coming weeks, they'll enter the season riding momentum. If Lincoln Riley loses Lewis, expect ripple effects across the national quarterback market and the rest of USC's 2025 class.